MADRID, March 18 -- Spanish Liga Santander strugglers, Rayo Vallecano on Monday sacked coach Miguel Angel Sanchez 'Michel' following a 3-1 defeat away to Villarreal on Sunday.

The defeat away to a direct rival in the battle to avoid relegation means Rayo have now lost their last seven matches and now sit second from bottom of the Liga Santander, six points from safety.

"We thank him (Michel) for his inestimable work during three seasons leading the squad and his unquestionable success, reaching promotion to the Primera Division in 2018, which puts him on the roll of honor of our almost 100 years of history."

"Our most sincere recognition for his work and our best wishes for the future," reads the statement on the official Rayo website.

A former legend at the Madrid-based outfit as a player, Michel began coaching in the club's youth system after hanging up his boots and was promoted to the first team job in 2017 as Rayo struggled to avoid relegation from the second division.

He was able to save them from the drop and the following season led them to promotion, but the club has struggled to adapt to life in the top flight, spending nearly all season rooted in the bottom three.

【体坛英语资讯：Struggling Rayo sack coach Michel after 7 succesive defeats】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Liu Xiang wins mens 110 meters hurdles gold at Olympic test event

★ 体坛英语资讯：China makes badminton more popular - Gunalan

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hosts hopes up in the air at World Cup

★ 体坛英语资讯：Liu advances, shock exit for Robles

★ 体坛英语资讯：Germany edges into Euro 2008 final after defeating Turkey by 3-2

★ 体坛英语资讯：ZZ leads New Years Eve charge against Iraq

★ 体坛英语资讯：Tennis ace Peng ready for prime time

★ 体坛英语资讯：Liverpool co-owner Gillett reveals death threats

★ 体坛英语资讯：Dutch advance, Italy, France on brink of elimination

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Celebs at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards